Perfect Picnics: What to Drink

PICTURE THIS: It's Friday; it's been a rotten, frustrating day to climax a rotten, frustrating week. And it's hot. And you picked up a voice-mail from your significant other announcing that your presence is required at a picnic being thrown by some people you've never heard of. Oh, and by the way: You're bringing the wine.

Wines that break the ice.

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We posed this gruesome social scenario to a dozen or so leading area wine merchants and asked them: Suppose a regular customer came to you with that story at 4:55 p.m. on Friday. What would you recommend? Their answers follow.

Peter Schmalzer, Pike & Western Wine Merchants (206-441-1307)

"Castello di Ama sangiovese rosato, an Italian ros頦rom the same area in Tuscany where Chianti is made." ($15)

"Encostas do Lima, a vinho verde from the R� Baixas area of Portugal. It tastes like a young albarinho with that floral nectarine nose and just a little spritz." ($7)

Terry Tufarolo, Grand Central Wine Merchants (206-340-5999)

"I'd go for Chⴥau la Boutignane, a full-bodied dry ros頦rom Corbi貥s in Languedoc, in the south of France." ($10)

Larry Springer, the Grape Choice (425-827-7551)

"I'd recommend our Barbi Orvieto, a perfect light, dry white for chilling, a real quaffer. I'd give the customer a taste; if they were in as bad shape as you say, I bet I'd sell another bottle out of gratitude." ($8)